Influence: Exploring The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Of Advertising

In this episode, Damian talks to the UK-based fashion designer Harris Reed about how his bold gender-fluid designs are expanding the possibilities for who can wear what. His clothes have been on the cover of Vogue, been featured at the Met Ball, and worn by Beyonce, Harry Styles, Adele, and Lizzo, to name a few. He talks about how being his authentic self not only guides his business but is changing the model for how one can succeed in fashion. Get your free WeTransfer pro account here: we.tl/harrisInfluence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Damian talks with actor, writer, and producer Riz Ahmed about his two films nominated for Oscars this year—Flee, an animated documentary, and The Long Goodbye, a live-action short produced by WeTransfer. (That means we're up for an Oscar, too. Ahem!) He shares how having doors repeatedly closed on him opened up his whole acting career, how story can function like a body-swap technology, and how truth in a character is more important than relatability. Riz also talks about his extraordinary work elevating Muslim voices in film.Get your free WeTransfer pro account here: we.tl/rizInfluence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this episode, Damian talks with the acclaimed director and founder of Concordia Studio, Davis Guggenheim. Davis shares the story of how he turned Al Gore's dry slide deck about global warming into an Academy Award-winning film that transformed the public's understanding of climate change with his documentary An Inconvenient Truth (2006). He also explains the ingredients of a good documentary, breaks down how they're realized in his films about Malala and U2, and talks about how storytelling, when done right, has the power to unite us. Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Isha Datar is on a mission to change the way we eat. On this episode, she shares what she's learned from more than a decade at the forefront of "cellular agriculture," a term she coined. She talks about how lab-grown meat could not only reshape and reimagine the future of food, but also how it could dramatically scale back farming's environmental impact.Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Damian interviews the founder of Parley for the Oceans Cyrill Gutsch about his journey from product designer to environmental leader. Focusing on plastic, Cyrill talks about using art to inspire action, upcycling plastic collected from the ocean, and pioneering new materials that are better for the earth. But his vision is bigger than that. Cyrill has found a way to capture our attention, and by bringing ocean plastic to the forefront, has given us a path to a better future, See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, Damian talks wine with Dan Keeling, the co-founder and editor of the bright, funny, and boisterous Noble Rot Magazine, and the co-founder of the Noble Rot restaurants in London. Dan talks about leaving his plum position in the music industry—one he earned after discovering acts like Coldplay and Lily Allen (maybe you've heard of them)—to make a magazine about wine. In this conversation, Dan talks about how sharing his enthusiasm for wine is rapidly changing the culture of it.Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, Damian talks with the artist, writer, and coder Xiaowei Wang about their surprising findings about modern technology from their travels in rural China. Expanding on their book, Blockchain Chicken Farm, Wang shares models for decolonizing tech, challenges our ideas about rural vs urban innovation, and calls for a more expansive vision for global advancement (instead of a tech silver bullet).Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When Rose Hudson-Wilkin was first called to church ministry as a child, the Church of England did not allow women to be priests. But being told what she could and couldn't do didn't deter her then, and it doesn't deter her now. On this episode, Bishop Rose speaks to Damian about her journey from growing up in Jamaica to becoming a bishop in the Church of England—the first Black woman allowed the position. She talks about using her role to challenge discrimination, stand up for the vulnerable, and reaffirm the power of community.Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, Damian talks to responsible tech evangelist (and WeTransfer Board Chair) Martha Lane Fox. As a Crossbench Peer in the United Kingdom House of Lords, a board member of Twitter and Chanel, and an early startup success, Martha has a unique voice in some of the most influential rooms on the planet. In this conversation, she talks about bringing a European perspective to Twitter, how video conferencing has made it easier to speak up in the House of Lords, and how she uses her many positions for good.Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

To perceive colour for the first time, Neil Harbisson implanted an antenna into his skull. To experience the movement of earthquakes within her body, Moon Ribas implanted sensors into her feet. Damian meets the two cyborg artists and co-founders of the Cyborg Foundation to find out how technology has altered their perceptions of reality, blurred the lines between human and machine, and tested the boundaries of society.Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Damian meets Nichelle Tramble Spellman, the creator and showrunner of the Apple TV+ series Truth be Told. Nichelle discusses representation in Hollywood, being true to her characters, and how she's supporting the next generation of filmmaking talent—and stories not often seen on the screen—with her production company The 51. Her work writing and producing for television influences not only what stories are told, but also how audiences see the world.Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Loneliness affects everything from our physical health to our voting choices, according to research from this episode’s guest, Noreena Hertz. Her book, The Lonely Century, chronicles a loneliness crisis across the developed world. On this episode, Damian and Noreena discuss how technology, neoliberalism, open offices, and cities contribute to loneliness, and what people, workplaces, and governments can do to bring people together.Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Aaron Koblin's dazzling data art projects have animated Johnny Cash's music and brought an Arcade Fire music video to viewers' childhood homes. On today's episode, Damian talks to the artist, designer, and co-founder of the VR company Within about what it means to be a tech optimist today, how VR might lead to more compassion, and how to save ourselves from the tech beasts we've created.Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nadya Tolokonnikova brought Russian punk feminism into existence with the creation of Pussy Riot, a music group and conceptual art piece in one. The Putin government put her in jail for two years after one of her performances. Despite the risks, she's spent the past decade working at the intersection of art and activism.In our latest episode, Tolokonnikova speaks with Damian about what's happened since the early days of Pussy Riot, why she believes in NFTs and the growth of digital art, and her emotional growth and current projects, including a unique performance she has planned at Chernobyl.Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Damian explores the delightfully manipulative power of magic with the magician and comedian Justin Willman. Together they unpack the basic human principles underlying the ‘attention economy’, subliminal messaging, and the element of surprise. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's episode, Damian talks to Eli Pariser, author of The Filter Bubble and co-founder of New Public, about designing digital public spaces for the future. Using examples from across the globe, Eli imagines how online communities can work on bringing people closer together instead of driving us further apart.Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this revealing conversation with Damian, Brittany Kaiser shares what happened behind closed doors at Cambridge Analytica. She talks about Cambridge Analytica's involvement in Donald Trump's presidential campaign, how the company used our data against us, and her experience as a whistle-blower. Plus: The things she wants everyone to know about data privacy.Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the season kick-off, Damian talks to Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the co-founders of Ben & Jerry’s, about the company's founding principles and keeping its mission on course as one of the world's most recognised ice cream brands. The pioneers of responsible business share why the social mission should never be a ‘job done.’ Whether partnering with local businesses or taking fierce action against police brutality, the duo’s campaigning zeal is still as bright as ever.Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The world is changing, and so is the way we’re influenced. In season 3, we explore the hidden gems, hot spots, and dark alleys in the world of communication. Damian Bradfield will talk to ice cream makers, a magician, and a whistleblower about the intersection of responsibility and power, taking a forensic look at the invisible forces that influence the way we think, feel, and act. Tune in on March 10th.Influence is a production of WeTransfer, produced in association with Reasonable Volume. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From scoring a record deal (and a free ride home) with Will Smith to promoting superstars like Lady Gaga and Eve, it seemed Troy Carter had it all figured out. But it’s screwing up and learning from his mistakes that got him to where he is today – a high-flying music mogul and investment entrepreneur. In our season finale Damian and Troy talk all things tech, business, music and failure, plus how Covid-19 will change the way we connect. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Thanks to social media, emerging technologies and, let’s face it, an increasingly surreal zeitgeist, our idea of what’s real and what’s not is murkier than ever. This week Damian chats to Sara DeCou, co-founder of Brud and co-creator of Miquela – a computer-generated influencer who amassed over 1.5 million Instagram followers. The pair discuss alter egos, fake news and a dystopian-sounding future governed by technology. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

She ran one of the first ever influencer marketing campaigns, knows exactly how to reach Gen Z and has Kanye on her client roster – this week Damian chats to the indomitable Quynh Mai, founder of Moving Image & Content. The pair discuss the digitization of advertising, the companies that will survive COVID-19 and how good branding can be a beacon of hope in a dystopian political climate. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Damian chats to Yancey Strickler, co-founder and former CEO of Kickstarter, about how the notorious crowdfunding platform thrives on what money can’t buy: community, word of mouth and creating for creation’s sake. The pair discuss metamodernist philosophy, what it means to have “value” and Yancey introduces us to Bentoism – which features in his book This Could Be Our Future: A Manifesto for a More Generous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

He’s repaired reputations, put a stop to scandals, and even had Harvey Weinstein clamouring at his door – so who better to turn to in a time of COVID-induced crisis? This week Damian chats to Matthew Freud, the world’s go-to man for publicity, access and damage control. The pair get real about hitting reset, knowing who to trust, and what it’s like to carry the weight of your great grandfather’s name (yes, that Freud). See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we take the time to process this moment with Grist’s director of leadership programming Andrew Simon, and Brentin Mock, staff writer at CityLab. The pair discuss the sheer complexity of existing as Black men in America today, and why every step forward seems to be followed by another one back.Show Notes:Andrew SimonWebsite: andrew25simon.comTwitter: @andrew25simonWork: GristBrentin MockTwitter: @brentinmockWork: CityLabBrentin's Reading List:Nikole Hannah-Jones: The 1619 Project / The Problem We All Live With / The Resegregation of Jefferson CountyTalia Buford: Climate Change and Vulnerable Communities / Early Data Shows African Americans have Contracted and Died of Coronavirus at an Alarming RateWendy Thomas: MLK50: Justice Through JournalismRoxane Gay: Remember, No One is Coming to Save Us / Bad FeministBrittney Cooper: Eloquent Rage / Crunk Feminist CollectiveLatoya Peterson: Why Aren't More Black Kids Going Pro in ESports / Glow Up GamesKiese Laymon: Heavy / Gioncarlo Valentine's Searing Portrait of the Fears of Young Black MenFinding Fred with Carvell Wallace [podcast]Andrew's Reading List:Ta-Nehisi Coates: Between The World and MeN.K. JemisinEnvironmental Justice Organizations:We ActNew York City Environmental Justice AllianceT.E.J.A.S.Deep South Center for Environmental JusticeOther Links:The Audubon Society's Statement about what happened to Christian CooperBrentin's article, "In Ferguson, Walking While Black was a Crime"Brentin's article on Christian Cooper: "The Toxic Intersection of Racism and Public Space" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

90% of everything we say is communicated nonverbally. So can we ever get across how we really feel over chat apps, emails or conference calls? This week Damian talks to Rana el Kaliouby who, as founder and CEO of Affectiva, has pioneered a digital software that can read and analyze human emotion in real time. The pair discuss how tracking viewer response helps brands like Coke and Dove make better, more-inclusive ads, and why a future grounded in digital comms might see us emotionally regress. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Raking in billions of dollars in legal revenue (even during COVID-19), cannabis is one of the most sophisticated and tech-forward industries out there. This week Damian chats all things weed with renowned investor Karan Wadhera who, as managing partner of Casa Verde Capital, has seen first-hand how the industry can thrive. The pair discuss smart cannabis tech, doing business with Snoop and how to manage advertising for a product plagued with stigma. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Damian Bradfield kicks off season 2 with straight-talking, advertising powerhouse, Cindy Gallop. From transforming the US market with her campaign for Axe to being the only speaker to say “cum on my face” on the TED stage, Cindy knows a thing or two about disrupting the system. She talks to us about her guaranteed formula for creative success (we’ll give you a hint, it’s all about trust), why women should ask for a shit ton of money and the reality of running a sex tech startup. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This season, we’re highlighting the people, technologies, and ideas that have catapulted advertising, PR, and marketing into the future...for better or for worse. Season 2 of Influence launches on May 13th. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, Damian explores how the godfather of modern PR, Edward Bernays, mastered the art of spin. From soap to cigarettes, Damian chats with author Larry Tye on how Bernays dramatically changed the way we live. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Damian talks with Kari Shimmel, Chief Strategy Officer at Campbell-Ewald, about how the introduction of TV ads after World War II completely transformed consumer culture. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Damian talks about the creation and impact of ads that raise awareness about health, environmental, and other pressing issues with Gail Gallie, co-founder of Project Everyone, a non-profit that helps spread awareness for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a wide-ranging discussion about the early days of internet advertising and how it shaped our online experience today, Damian chats with Rick Boyce – a former media buyer and one of the creators of the first ever banner ad. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The best way to find out what consumers really want? Ask them. This week, journalist and author Liza Featherstone takes us through the history of focus groups, and how their decisions and influence continue to shape the world around us. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Featuring culture writer and radio host, Kate Hutchinson, this week’s episode looks at the rise and fall of sex in advertising and its ability to sell everything – from chocolate to jeans. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Damian talks with Pelle Sjoenell, former Worldwide Chief Creative Officer at BBH, about the ins and outs of global advertising – what works, what doesn’t and why it’s so tricky to get it right. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a fascinating discussion with Nick Thompson, Editor-in-Chief at Wired, Damian unearths the alarming power of Facebook advertising – from its potential disrupt and disable Western democracy, to some surprising reasons to stay logged in. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why does Barbie look the way she does? How did cigarettes become a symbol of women’s liberation? And why do we vote the way we do? Learn the answers to these questions (and more) on Influence - a new podcast about the good, the bad, and the ugly of advertising, hosted by WeTransfer CCO Damian Bradfield. Get ready for a deep dive into how advertising transformed our economy and our world, and what can we do about it. Influence launches on November 4. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.